Ainge Responds To The "Trade Isaiah" Nonsense

[Roy H.]

And I call it nonsense because that's how Danny sees it:

“[W]e want to keep Isaiah.

“All I know is that he’s had an amazing year, and who doesn’t want Isaiah Thomas on their team? Like, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

Ainge laughed at public concern that Thomas will be too expensive.

“Why do the fans need to worry about how much money he makes?” he said. “I can understand if Isaiah and his wife and his agent are worried about that, but I don’t understand why that’s a conversation that needs to be had in the media.”

Listen, Isaiah has had one of the most impressive seasons in Celtics history in so many ways with what he was able to accomplish,” Ainge said. “I don’t know why people can’t see that.

He's not leaving.  Or, as Steve Bulpett puts it,

I’m sure if New Orleans calls and offers Anthony Davis, draft picks and Mardi Gras beads for life, the Celtics will likely be willing to part with Isaiah Thomas.

But Danny Ainge doesn’t believe the Little Guy is going anywhere — not now nor when his contract expires after next season.

[rondohondo]

But some people wonder whether the Celts will be able to keep all their desired pieces together as Thomas, Avery Bradley and others come up for renewal in this new marketplace. “Yeah, we can fit everybody in,” said Ainge. “But, listen, those are questions that I don’t even have answers for yet. That’s part of the difficult puzzle that is all hard. All I’m saying is those are things I have to worry about that even I don’t like to think about. And I know that those are going to be difficult decisions at some point. But we want to keep Isaiah. All I know is that he’s had an amazing year, and who doesn’t want Isaiah Thomas on their team? Like, you’ve got to be kidding me.” 17 mins ago – via Boston Herald

Ainge laughed at public concern that Thomas will be too expensive. “Why do the fans need to worry about how much money he makes?” he said. “I can understand if Isaiah and his wife and his agent are worried about that, but I don’t understand why that’s a conversation that needs to be had in the media.” 17 mins ago – via Boston Herald

. Wonder if this means we make a run at George or Butler if it doesn't cost Fultz....

Let the little guy help lead the team and help Fultz develop

[Big333223]

Until Ainge gets a good offer for him. Then we'll see.

I think it's funny Ainge seems surprised that fans are interested in how much money IT makes. Does he not realize how much fans talk about the salary cap and future team building?


EDIT: You kind of left out this part, which isn't quite as definitive:

“Yeah, we can fit everybody in,” said Ainge. “But, listen, those are questions that I don’t even have answers for yet. That’s part of the difficult puzzle that is all hard."

“All I’m saying is those are things I have to worry about that even I don’t like to think about. And I know that those are going to be difficult decisions at some point. But we want to keep Isaiah."

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2017/05/bulpett_danny_ainge_quite_happy_with_isaiah_thomas_and_al_horford

[playdream]

well that's an easy one

[PhoSita]

Preach.

[Jon]

Let's keep in mind that this all could be posturing by Ainge to drive his price up.

That said, I tend to agree with him that we should try to keep Isaiah. Still, there's only so many positions in the backcourt, so not everyone will be able to stay. And if Ainge can get the best value for IT (and I don't think that's a sure thing), he will trade him.

[CelticsElite]

He didn't say we're keeping IT, he said we want to keep IT. the same way we wanted to keep perk. Unfortunately sometimes the offers from other teams are too big

[Roy H.]

Until Ainge gets a good offer for him. Then we'll see.

I think it's funny Ainge seems surprised that fans are interested in how much money IT makes. Does he not realize how much fans talk about the salary cap and future team building?


EDIT: You kind of left out this part, which isn't quite as definitive:

“Yeah, we can fit everybody in,” said Ainge. “But, listen, those are questions that I don’t even have answers for yet. That’s part of the difficult puzzle that is all hard."

“All I’m saying is those are things I have to worry about that even I don’t like to think about. And I know that those are going to be difficult decisions at some point. But we want to keep Isaiah."

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2017/05/bulpett_danny_ainge_quite_happy_with_isaiah_thomas_and_al_horford

Right. There will be difficult decisions with guys like AB, KO, Smart, etc. That question is in the context of bringing the entire team back. They're keeping IT though.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Preach.

[Sixth Man]

And I call it nonsense because that's how Danny sees it:

“[W]e want to keep Isaiah.

“All I know is that he’s had an amazing year, and who doesn’t want Isaiah Thomas on their team? Like, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

Ainge laughed at public concern that Thomas will be too expensive.

“Why do the fans need to worry about how much money he makes?” he said. “I can understand if Isaiah and his wife and his agent are worried about that, but I don’t understand why that’s a conversation that needs to be had in the media.”

Listen, Isaiah has had one of the most impressive seasons in Celtics history in so many ways with what he was able to accomplish,” Ainge said. “I don’t know why people can’t see that.

He's not leaving.  Or, as Steve Bulpett puts it,

I’m sure if New Orleans calls and offers Anthony Davis, draft picks and Mardi Gras beads for life, the Celtics will likely be willing to part with Isaiah Thomas.

But Danny Ainge doesn’t believe the Little Guy is going anywhere — not now nor when his contract expires after next season.

Why would any team trade for IT now, given that he has a bum hip which will probably require surgery?  I've read that he would have an 80% chance of returning to NBA play if he elects for surgery.

[freshinthehouse]

But really, what's he going to say?  "Yeah, we really want to get rid of Thomas."  He has to say that he's not going anywhere.

[Big333223]

Until Ainge gets a good offer for him. Then we'll see.

I think it's funny Ainge seems surprised that fans are interested in how much money IT makes. Does he not realize how much fans talk about the salary cap and future team building?


EDIT: You kind of left out this part, which isn't quite as definitive:

“Yeah, we can fit everybody in,” said Ainge. “But, listen, those are questions that I don’t even have answers for yet. That’s part of the difficult puzzle that is all hard."

“All I’m saying is those are things I have to worry about that even I don’t like to think about. And I know that those are going to be difficult decisions at some point. But we want to keep Isaiah."

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2017/05/bulpett_danny_ainge_quite_happy_with_isaiah_thomas_and_al_horford

Right. There will be difficult decisions with guys like AB, KO, Smart, etc. That question is in the context of bringing the entire team back. They're keeping IT though.

Yes, he says he wants to keep Thomas, but there is nothing in the piece to suggest that Thomas isn't one of the "difficult decisions" Ainge doesn't like to think about.

But really, what's he going to say?  "Yeah, we really want to get rid of Thomas."  He has to say that he's not going anywhere.

This.

[Roy H.]

And I call it nonsense because that's how Danny sees it:

“[W]e want to keep Isaiah.

“All I know is that he’s had an amazing year, and who doesn’t want Isaiah Thomas on their team? Like, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

Ainge laughed at public concern that Thomas will be too expensive.

“Why do the fans need to worry about how much money he makes?” he said. “I can understand if Isaiah and his wife and his agent are worried about that, but I don’t understand why that’s a conversation that needs to be had in the media.”

Listen, Isaiah has had one of the most impressive seasons in Celtics history in so many ways with what he was able to accomplish,” Ainge said. “I don’t know why people can’t see that.

He's not leaving.  Or, as Steve Bulpett puts it,

I’m sure if New Orleans calls and offers Anthony Davis, draft picks and Mardi Gras beads for life, the Celtics will likely be willing to part with Isaiah Thomas.

But Danny Ainge doesn’t believe the Little Guy is going anywhere — not now nor when his contract expires after next season.

Why would any team trade for IT now, given that he has a bum hip which will probably require surgery?  I've read that he would have an 80% chance of returning to NBA play if he elects for surgery.

Where did you read that?

[vjcsmoke]

Thank you Danny!!!

I needed to hear that from our GM. 

So much crap was being spouted about IT, it was getting borderline ridiculous.

Of course most of it was spouted by baseless media speculation and forum armchair GMs, but still it is comforting to know DA's clear stance on IT4.  He is going to be a Celtic, and Danny wants him to stay a Celtic!

[Csfan1984]

Can't trade him hurt. Also isn't he technically the face of the team right now? There are more reasons why to keep him than trade him.